DIHK General Assembly calls for rapid expansion of energy supply in crisis resolution

"The worst energy crisis in decades is threatening the existence of a daily growing number of companies from all sectors and thus also a large number of jobs in the shortest possible time," reads a resolution passed by a large majority of the 79 Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) on Wednesday. "Our economic structure and our prosperity in Germany are increasingly at risk - production stops, losses in value creation and the relocation of production abroad are the consequences."

The number of companies that either do not receive any supply contracts at all or only receive them at extreme prices is currently increasing. It is now the core task of politics to "quickly create the right framework conditions for the path through the energy crisis". To this end, the resolution adopted by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce lists ten immediate measures that would have an impact in the short term.

Loss of prosperity threatens on a hitherto unimaginable scale

DIHK President Peter Adrian said on the sidelines of the plenary session that the consequences of the crisis must finally be understood by politicians: "Every day that energy prices remain high, more companies have to cut back, interrupt or even completely shut down their operations. This threatens us with losses of prosperity on a hitherto unimaginable scale. The business community therefore needs concrete answers and action from policymakers now."

What started as a crisis in gas supply has also long since reached the electricity market, Adrian said: "More and more companies are literally being cut off. Many feel that their current situation and the prospects are without perspective." Electricity prices on the futures market have meanwhile increased tenfold. This means that German electricity prices for industry are currently ten times as high as in neighbouring France and gas prices are more than ten times as high as in the USA. "German companies cannot keep this up for long in competition," said Adrian. "That's why politicians must now finally act very boldly right away and communicate very clearly. No economy can run without energy."

All available power plants to be connected to the grid "without ifs and buts

For politicians, the IHK organisation has formulated ten very concrete immediate measures that could bring rapid relief in the worsening crisis. DIHK President Peter Adrian demanded that all available power plants be connected to the grid again "without ifs and buts". "This would allow more than seven gigawatts to be brought back into the market in the short term." This is what the federal government has decided, he said. In practice, however, there are so many requirements and restrictions attached to it that it does not work.

Adrian: "Everything that creates uncertainty and bureaucracy must be removed in view of the very serious situation. This also applies to additional costs incurred by companies, such as the newly introduced gas procurement levy and other electricity levies that have existed for some time. They should all be financed from the federal budget. This will relieve the burden on businesses both financially and in terms of bureaucracy."

The DIHK plenary assembly includes all 79 German chambers of industry and commerce, each represented by its president.